Reputed as "The Nation’s Fiscalizer", Jovito
Salonga’s distinguished record as Congressman for
the 2nd District of Rizal later won for him the
overwhelming mandate of the Filipino electorate as
he consistently topped three Senatorial elections
despite lack of material means and at against all
odds – a record without precedent in Philippine
political history, in addition to the remarkable
fact that he was elected under three different
administrations ( that of Macapagal, Marcos and
Aquino ). Salonga was chosen as one of the most
outstanding Senators with his significant
legislations, some of which inspired public
interest: the State Scholarship Law, the Disclosure
of Interest Act, the Magna Carta for Public School
Teachers, and the Code of Conduct and Ethical
Standards for Public Officials and Employees, and
the Act Defining and Penalizing the Crime of
Plunder.

Salonga has been fighting corruption and
dictatorship since his youth. The son of a
Presbyterian minister from Rizal province, he joined
the resistance movement during the Japanese
occupation, was captured, tortured and sentenced by
a military court to years of hard labor.

Released in 1943, he topped the bar examinations the
following year and made plans to attend Harvard for
his master’s degree. He followed up his master’s at
Harvard with a doctorate from Yale University, but
turned down a faculty position there because he felt
he should take part in post-war reconstruction in
the Philippines.

Upon his return, he embarked on a career that
quickly established him as one of the most brilliant
lawyers in the country. He taught law at leading
universities in Manila, and authored several tax
texts that are used here and abroad.

When Martial Law was declared in 1972, he was one of
its most outspoken opponents. He defended political
prisoners who challenged the Marcos regime.

In October 1980, after the bombing of the Asian
Society of Travel Agents’ conference at the PICC,
Salonga was arrested along with several others and
was detained without investigation and without
charges.

After his release from military custody, he was
offered a visiting scholarship at Yale, where he
engaged in the revision of his book on International
Law. He completed his book on the Marcos years and a
program for a new democratic Philippines.

Salonga returned to the Philippines on January 21,
1985 and when the Aquino government took over after
the People Power Revolution of February 1986,
Salonga was named chairman of the Presidential
Commission on Good Government, which was tasked with
investigating and recovering the ill-gotten wealth
of the members of the past regime.

With his selfless dedication to duty and his
significant contributions to the country, Jovito
Salonga continues to serve as brilliant inspiration
to all Filipinos.